Tristam Galahand/Backup

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"Suicide is no virtue. It is failure, surrender, desperation. Ride or die - a Knight will for ever choose to ride before they ever choose death. Death will not conquer a Knight til they collapse. The coward you speak of chose death. He gave up on riding. Our collapse was chosen. He decided our end. But we don't decide our end. We fight."

Tristam Galahand
Guild	Order of the Sword
Gender	Male
Race	Human
Class	Death Knight
Faction	Alliance

Tristam Galahand, former Highlord of Theramore and Knight of the Silver Hand, was the father of the ex-Paladin Melkorius Galahand. He also served in the Order of the Sword as a Knight-Champion, and was trained as a paladin by Gavinrad the Dire. Tristam was the first and last Highlord of Theramore, until his martyrdom in year 32.

A year later, Tristam was awakened as a Death Knight of the Scourge, but when the Lich King sent the Death Knights of Acherus to their deaths at Light's Hope Chapel, Tristam felt lost and without a master, and went into exile for a year. Having returned in response to threatening visions and dreams, Tristam scours Azeroth in search of this bandit destined to wield Galardell against his enemy.

General

Name: Tristam Galahand
Birthplace: Lakeshire, Redridge Mountains
Home: Unknown
Family: -

• Anthea Galahand (wife, deceased)
• Melkorius Galahand (son)
• Inell Galahand (daughter)
• Valifar Galahand (son, deceased)

History

Lore

Early Life

Tristam was born in the village of Lakeshire, in the mountains of Redridge. Of old, his family came from Strahnbrad in the heart of the Arathi, but they were forced to relocate South due to attacks by Ogres and other forces. At the age of sixteen, Tristam took a job guarding the Stonewatch Keep nearby. By his seventeenth birthday, he had progressed to the rank of Captain. He had always admired the Knights that marched in and out of the Keep each day, and had always wished to ride with them into battles. Deciding to leave his job as a Guard, he took up service as a Squire to Gavinrad the Dire, a great Paladin close to his family, who taught him all about chivalry and the light, and also trained him with the sword and shield. On his nineteenth birthday, Stonewatch Keep was filled with celebration for Tristam's initiation into Knighthood. Now among the respected Knights of Stonewatch, he fulfilled his dream of riding into conflict in Lordaeron, with his hero, Gavinrad.

The Cult of the Sword

Ten years later, a hooded, mysterious cult appeared before Stonewatch, seeking to speak with Sir Tristam. Tristam listened and followed them to a valley behind the Keep. The cult's leader was Arthor Valor, a Knight of Lordaeron. Following the cult's instructions, Tristam aided them in performing a holy ritual in order to be bestowed Galardell, a holy blade created long ago. Promising to use the blade to enforce the light's will in Azeroth, Tristam then sheathed Galardell and accepted Arthor's invitation to serve as the highest-ranked Knight of the cult, which then became the Order of the Sword, an order that swore to serve the wielder of Galardell forever. The valley then became known as Galardell Valley, and a feast was held in Stonewatch Keep to celebrate.

Knight of the Silver Hand

With Galardell now in hand, Tristam joined the Knights of the Silver Hand, the order in which his hero served for many years. He fought the Scourge in Lordaeron with pride for many years, and through the might of Galardell, became a renowned hero in the parts. Tristam and his fellow knights of Stonewatch were returning from a campaign one day, having slain the orcish invaders that threatened to siege their Keep, as their march back to the keep through the Redridge Mountains was interupted, by a sorcerer of Dalaran. Sent as an emissary by Lady Jaina Proudmoore's command, he told Tristam and his men of the fleets that were to sail to Kalimdor, in order to find a new land and a new kingdom. Tristam and many of the knights accepted, heading north to Menethil Harbor.

Tristam, his wife Anthea, and his children Melkorius and Inell set out to Menethil Harbor with all their belongings. On the road through the Wetlands, the party from Stonewatch was sieged by orcs. Many were killed or taken hostage, and only a few survived. Tristam watched his wife murdered, and his son, Melkorius, dragged off by orcs, whilst the Knight-Captain who led the party forbid Tristam to run after him, for the safety of the few survivors.

When the fleet arrived on Kalimdor, Sir Tristam impressed Lady Jaina not only by his accomplishments in the Eastern Kingdoms, but also through his efforts aiding her regiment. Upon Theramore's completion, she awarded Tristam the rank of Chamberlain, which was later renamed to Highlord to match that of Stormwind's Highlord, Bolvar Fordragon.

Trístam, level 40 Human Paladin

The War of Theramore

• Main article: War of Theramore

Years later, Tristam was captured by Theramore deserters. Held hostage at Lost Point in the marshes, Theramore's regiment sent out men to rescue Tristam, accompanied by a volunteer Stormwind knight. With the help of the knight, they successfully destroyed the outpost and brought the Highlord back to the Foothold Citadel in Theramore unharmed.

Tristam had his rescuers gathered in the Citadel for rewarding the next day. Arriving late, the knight entered the Citadel and fell in line with the soldiers. When Tristam came to the knight and asked his name, the knight removed his helm and spoke: "I am Melkorius.. Your son." Melkorius then drew his sword and attacked the Highlord, but not before Tristam drew Galardell and plunged it through Melkorius' heart in self-defense.

Weeks passed. Unsure if he should regret his actions or not, Tristam confined himself to his Citadel. Sitting behind his table on the top floor, Tristam heard screams from outside. He stood, took hold of Galardell and prepared to move out with his guardsmen, but before he could, Melkorius strode into the room followed by two ghouls which pounced on the only two guards in the room, devouring them. Melkorius was clad in saronite plate with a runeblade at hand - a Death Knight of the Scourge. Though Tristam knew he would prove no match for Galardell, he refrained from attacking. Taking advantage of this, Melkorius beat his father to the ground and took Galardell from him, and without mercy, plunged it through his shoulder. Melkorius stood proud over his father's dead body, and dropped his runeblade to take Galardell as his new blade. Leaving Tristam to bleed, he cast a death gate to return him to Northrend.

Lady Jaina resued Tristam a few hours later, and brough him to her tower for healing, before enshrouding her tower in a violet dome, alike the one that, at the time, covered Dalaran. Many of Theramore's citizens fled to Stormwind, along with the bulk of the regiment. There, Kyelv Sorel, Admiral of Theramore's regiment, and Adjutant Tesoran sought out Valifar Galahand, Tristam's youngest son - a Knight of the Order of the Sword. Upon finding him, many men of Theramore found hope again, and most returned to the city with Valifar, who they believed could kill his brother and save Theramore. Upon return in Theramore, they were all astomished at what they saw. Ghouls, Abominations, Necromancers and corpses littered to ruined streets. Towers had collapsed. Walls were entwined with black ivy. The fog was thick. And it had the smell of Lordaeron - a stench of undeath.

As soon as reinforcements from Stormwind came a week later, they fell in line and led a full siege on the city. Hearing the men's battle crys, Jaina noticed the conflict on her streets, and unshrouded her dome, spilling out her mages to aid them in battle. Tristam, though still weak and injured, armoured himself and took up an old broasword, fleeing to the docks to rally with Admiral Sorel, avoiding conflict. With their Highlord fighting among them again, Theramore's forces fought their way through the city. Jaina, Tristam and Kyelv led a small force into the Citadel to confront Melkorius. After a short conflict, Tristam managed to drive his sword through Melkorius' plate and through his chest. He fell to the ground, shocked, but his body was summoned away in a dark flash of shadow after, taking Kyelv Sorel with him.

When Melkorius fell, he cursed Admiral Kyelv, causing him to forget his Admiralty, and to think he is a knight of the Argent Dawn in Lordaeron. Melkorius' body lay dying in the plaguelands, in need of healing. He whispered to Kyelv, telling him he is a knight who fell after a battle, in need of aid. Kyelv, thinking it an action of the light, set off with a priest to Melkorius' location and brought him back to health. Melkorius awoke hours later and killed the priest, leaving Kyelv alive, and rode off on his deathcharger. Kyelv then remembered everything and was broke free of the curse.

Melkorius returned to Theramore, backed up with an army of thousands. A battle broke out, but as Melkorius was overwhelmed in battle, his forces lost confidence and fled from him, leaving him to die there. Instead, Tristam successfully knocked him out, took back Galardell and brought him into the Citadel.

When Melkorius awoke, a young girl named Elosai, Kyelv's sister and High Priestess of the Order of the Sword, stood infront of him. She tried to cure him with her blessed powers in the light. Giving up after an hour, Melkorius laughed and broke free, and walked onto the ruined battlements of the city. The priestess followed him, and pulled him back as he tried to throw himself off the battlements to his death. He refused to accept this as an act of emotion, which Death Knights do not feel. But then he cried, and could do nothing but accept that he had been cured. Falling in love with the priestess, the next day, they both disappeared from Theramore. Weeks later, with no sign of Melkorius or any scourge within the city, Tristam marked the end of the War of Theramore.

The Order of the Sword

With Theramore again under Tristam's Highlordship, Jaina and him worked together to rebuild and bring the city to peace. Citizens returned from Stormwind to there homes in Theramore and the regiment began to rebuild. Tristam travelled to the Cathedral of Light in Stormwind City to seek out the newly appointed Grand Master of his order, the Order of the Sword, Ajaxicullies Valor (son of the order's founder, Arthor Valor). The order then grew under Ajaxicullies' rule, and was transformed from a secret sect of noblemen, priests and paladins and became a renowned force among the Alliance, and was stationed at many local areas, such as Raven Hill and Lakeshire. Tristam, already the highest-ranked knight of the order under the Grand Master, earned his respect back in the Alliance, as many had accused him of deserting the Eastern Kingdoms when he left to Kalimdor years ago. Eventually, Ajax decided to withdraw his men from their posts around Stormwind, and marched the order north to Southshore, to enforce the light's will in Lordaeron. This eventually led to Ajax leading an assault on the Scarlet Monastery, due to his hate for the Crusade, having been tortured by them in youth.

Tristam and many of the knights would not follow Ajax into battle against fellow followers of the light, and for this, Ajax began to treat Tristam as less of a hero, and spawned a growing hate for him. This led to a conflict between the two in Southshore, resulting in Ajax breaking Tristam's arm before fleeing on horseback from the guards, heading to the monastery to slaughter any scarlets in his path, taking upon the title 'The Scarlet Bane'. A month later, with Tristam's arm on the mend, he followed him, to put an end to this madness whilst he could. Arriving at Chillwind Camp, Tristam decided to pray at Uther's Tomb before scouring Lordaeron to kill Ajax. Much to both of their surprise, Tristam found Ajax also praying at the tomb. After little conversation, Ajax striked at Tristam, which resulted in a long battle between the two, forgetting the disrespect they both commited in Uther's presensce. Eventually, Tristam succeeded in striking Galardell into Ajax's stomach. Assuming victory, Tristam pulled back out his runeblade. Though, with a loud snap and flash of light, Tristam looked down to realise Galardell had broken in two. He held in his hand Galardell's hilt and a stub of the blade, whilst leaving almost three-quarters of the actual blade in Ajax's chest. Tristam left, shocked, and returned to Theramore. Artisan blacksmiths there forged together the steel in Gavinrad the Dire's old hammer and the hilt of Galardell to form Clarent, a sword half the strength of Galardell. Learning of this, Ajaxicullies travelled to Ironforge and had an old dwarven friend do the same, and forged a blade called Nazrian. Instead of using steel like that from Gavinrad's hammer which Tristam used, Ajax forged the blade with felsteel.

After it's forging, Ajaxicullies took back to rampaging through Lordaeron with his new half-runeblade, slaying any of the Scourge or the Scarlet Crusade that passed him. Eventually, he was then attacked by a hooded warrior-- his brother, Felinor --knocking him out. Ajax awoke to find Nazrian stolen from him. Enraged, he returned to the Cathedral of Light to pray, before setting out to get his sword back.

Felinor travelled all the way to Theramore to seek out Tristam, to kill him and take the other reforged shard of Galardell, Clarent; to reforge the runeblade Galardell. He told the guards of the Foothold Citadel that his visit expected by Tristam, as a fellow knight of the Order of the Sword, lying only to be granted entrance to the Citadel. Entering the Highlord's Hall, Felinor approached Tristam and tried to kill him by engaging in combat. After a short fight which resulted in the death of a few of Theramore's soldiers by Felinor's hand, Tristam stood victorious with both Clarent and Nazrian at hand, over a powerless and defeated Felinor. Tristam allowed the young weakling to live by telling Felinor to leave Theramore and never return, or face Galardell's wrath. With both Clarent and Nazrian, Tristam shattered the two for his blacksmiths to reforge Galardell for him.

Death

Weeks later, Tristam found his nights restless, haunted by what at first he thought was just nightmares. Soon, conferences and speeches were interupted by visions of himself clad in saronite plate, with a corrupt Galardell at hand as a servant Death Knight of the Lich King. Tristam believed this to be a threat from the light, and so he decided it was only right to put an end to it whilst he can. He travelled to Northshire Abbey, where he had Galardell locked away deep beneath the Abbey in a hidden, holy and unaccessable tomb, before travelling to Galardell Valley in the Redridge Mountains, the valley being where he was bestowed Galardell by the light so many years ago. There, Tristam poisoned himself, then fell dead on the ground. He left everything in his possesion to Inell, his magician daughter.

With all the trouble caused from the Highlord rank over the years, and with Stormwind's Highlord also dead, Lady Jaina soon after decided to abolish the title completely, leaving Theramore in her rule, and her rule alone.

Trìstam, level 65 Human Death knight

Service to the Lich King

Tristam opened his eyes that had been shut for almost a year. Looking around, he was nowhere familiar. There was nothing about him that he felt familiar with. Clad in necromatic robes, he arose from his kneel to find himself beside several other Death Knights, standing before the Lich King in a floating necropolis. Tristam set about his tasks, performing his new duties cleansing Scarlet Crusaders from New Avalon as instructed. He didn't question his new master once. The idea of doing so never even processed in his mind. He was content doing as told, serving no city as no Highlord nor Knight of the Silver Hand. This was now his place in the world.

Tristam was ready to follow his new master anywhere. But this all ended when Arthas sent him and a brigade of other Death Knights to their death at Light's Hope Chapel. The others formed the Knights of the Ebon Blade with Highlord Darion Mograine, but Tristam did not want this. Nor did he want to go back to the Lich King. A freak, an outsider, a Death Knight.. Tristam mysteriously vanished for a whole year.

/quitWoW

Shady Return

The year Tristam spent away from the world and from his alliances with the Scourge helped him to deem himself a free man. Enjoying life without responsibility for the first time in his life, Tristam took residence in a ruined chapel in Lordaeron where he made himself at home. 6 months later, Tristam's peace was interrupted by strange cryptic visions in his sleep that he, at first, ignored. But as the visions repeated every night, Tristam started to wonder whether to return to the world to help or not. His vision was that of a Death Knight with the sword Galardell, laying waste to the Eastern Kingdoms in the name of the Scourge. Another vision was a bandit wielding Galardell against the Knight, and defeating him; being celebrated by knights of the Order of the Sword as the new Grand Master.

Tristam eventually set off to Stormwind City, wearing dark attire and taking a large scythe from on display in the chapel.

The Order of the Sword

Tristam searched the city for Ajaxicullies Valor, Grand Master of the Order. But he was not found. Eventually, Tristam bumped into a woman in the Stormwind Old Town bearing the Order's tabard - Catherina. Though his identity was not revealed, Catherina told Tristam about Ajaxicullies' banishment from the Order and of Sir Farlight who took his place; as Grand Master and as bearer of Galardell. For weeks Tristam searched for Farlight, but eventually he discovered he was in Northrend for another few weeks.

Upon his return, Tristam returned to the city to speak to the Grand Master. They met on the bridge between Stormwind's Trade District and Old Town, Tristam having noticed the man's tabard. Tristam asked the knight the whereabouts of Sir Farlight, and the knight revealed himself to be the man he seeked. They spoke, and Tristam also revealed himself to Farlight, who was shocked to see Tristam alive. Pledging himself again to the Order and to Farlight's command, Tristam told Farlight of his visions and of the importance of reforming the Order, that was admittedly slowly crumbling. With the Order now at his side, Tristam continued his search for 'The Bandit' in his vision.

That night, Tristam suffered another vision in his sleep. A neutral figure stood outside the Blackrock Mountain, staring into the gates as all fell quiet. Suddenly a loud dragoncry was heard, awaking Tristam. That morning, Tristam rode out to Blackrock Mountain to investigate the reason the area was in his vision.

Tristam stepped quietly into the mountain. There was not a soul in sight. Tristam followed the walkway up to the large chain that connected to Forgewright's Tomb in the center. As he balanced his way across the large chain, the same dragoncry in his vision resonated loudly throughout the mountain, almost making Tristam fall to the lava. Grabbing the chain quickly, Tristam continued to the Tomb, looking around for the dragon he heard. Inside the Tomb was not as he remembered it when he last visited the Blackrock Mountain, in the years of his service to Stonewatch. The runeforge that Arthor Valor had constructed was missing, and in it's place stood a man in platemail with a large sword at his belt. Tristam approached with caution, sword drawn... Suddenly, the man heard Tristam's light footsteps and drew his sword, clashing it with Tristam as they stared eachother in the face. Pushing against the man's sword, Tristam demanded the man identify himself. Their blades clashed several more times, before Tristam overpowered the man, knocking him to the ground and pointing his sword at his neck. Again, Tristam demanded he identify himself. The man revealed his name, Derrek Lowell. He told Tristam he was here investigating the site where Galardell was forged, and desired no trouble. Suddenly Tristam realised who the man could be - 'The Bandit' in his visions.

As they talked, Derrek revealed his past, and the nickname 'Bandit' he had gained in his recent years wandering Azeroth. He told Tristam that he wanted the respect and honor he had in his years in Alterac, and a chance to get revenge for his brother's death. Tristam offered him this, by taking him as his Squire.

To be continued...

Will be updated soon